The area surrounding Germany’s Mewa Arena, home to Bundesliga club Mainz, is undergoing evacuations after the discovery of an active World War II bomb during stadium renovations. Identified as an 1100-pound American aerial bomb, the device is set to be defused on Friday, impacting around 3,500 people in the vicinity.
“The safety of our citizens is our top priority,” stated a spokesperson from the city of Mainz. “We urge everyone to cooperate with the evacuation process as we work to ensure their safety.”
Mainz FC rescheduled their pre-match press conference to Thursday due to the discovery. Despite no specified timeline for the defusing process, the upcoming game against Cologne on Sunday is expected to proceed as planned.
The discovery of WWII-era bombs is not uncommon in Germany, given the extensive bombings during the war. Mainz, heavily affected by air raids, has experienced similar incidents in the past. In 2015, Borussia Dortmund’s stadium area was evacuated for a similar reason, highlighting the ongoing presence of unexploded ordnance in the region.
While disruptions are expected, authorities are working diligently to clear the area and ensure the safety of residents before normal activities resume.
